Majority Support Assisted Suicide in Canada: December 2011 Poll

Toronto, December 16th, 2011 – In a recent survey conducted by Forum Research across Canada among residents 18 years or older, it was found that the strong majority are in favour of making physician-assisted suicide legal in Canada for the terminally ill (67% are in favour, 21% are opposed, and 12% have yet to form an opinion). The poll found that support for the measure was strongest among those residents living in Quebec (81%), followed by British Columbia (65%), Ontario (60%), and the Prairies (60%). It was also found that approval was significantly higher among residents younger than 65 years of age when compared to those aged 65 and older (68% 18-34, 69% 35 to 44, 71% 45 to 54, 69% 55 to 64, 56% 65+). When party preference was taken into account, it was found that respondents who voted for the NDP in the 2011 federal election were significantly more likely to back the measure (78%; compared to 63% Liberal, and 60% Conservative).

“Though there is currently a great deal of public debate over physician-assisted suicide for the terminally ill, the data illustrates that the majority of Canadians support an increase in patient autonomy.” said Forum Research president Dr. Lorne Bozinoff. “The results of this study indicate that Canadian public opinion is largely beginning to shift towards legalizing physician-assisted and the models put in place in countries such as Switzerland.”